[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#c9e2ce” background_enable_image=”off” background_size=”initial” background_pattern_repeat_origin=”center_left” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”6px||27px||false|false” bottom_divider_color=”#abb8ff” bottom_divider_flip=”vertical” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”36px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||on|on|||||” header_text_color=”#192957″ header_font_size=”31px” animation_direction=”right” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ prev_background_color=”#c9e2ce” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_direction=”90deg” background_color_gradient_stops=”#c9e2ce 0%|rgba(0,104,127,0.55) 100%” background_enable_image=”off” background_size=”initial” background_pattern_repeat_origin=”center_left” custom_padding=”35px|||||” top_divider_style=”waves2″ top_divider_height=”70px” bottom_divider_flip=”horizontal” bottom_divider_arrangement=”above_content” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”2%||3%||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/magazine.mcs.cmu.edu\/bio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/07\/cmu-tartan-wave-full-color-crop-01.jpg” transform_scale=”75%|75%” scroll_vertical_motion=”0|50|50|100|0|0|-4″ scroll_fade_enable=”on” scroll_fade=”0|50|50|100|100%|100|0%” scroll_rotating_enable=”on” scroll_rotating=”0|50|50|100|0\u00b0|0\u00b0|180\u00b0” hover_enabled=”0″ border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_image=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#192957″ header_font_size=”55px” header_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font=”|600|||||||” custom_margin=”||15px||false|false” custom_padding=”2%|2%|2%|2%|true|true” animation_style=”zoom” header_font_tablet=”|800|||||||” header_font_phone=”||||||||” header_font_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” background_pattern_repeat_origin=”center_left” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_direction=”270deg” background_color_gradient_stops=”#c9e2ce 0%|rgba(0,104,127,0.55) 100%” background_enable_image=”off” background_size=”initial” background_pattern_repeat_origin=”center_left” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/magazine.mcs.cmu.edu\/bio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/07\/Michaluk_Sonja-e1688737495924.png” alt=”Sonja Michaluk” title_text=”Sonja Michaluk” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” background_pattern_repeat_origin=”center_left” transform_translate=”0px|-36px” transform_translate_linked=”off” width=”75%” max_width=”75%” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||11px|||” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”bottom” scroll_fade_enable=”on” scroll_fade=”0|50|50|100|100%|100|20%” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all=”1px” border_color_all=”#000000″ box_shadow_style=”preset2″ box_shadow_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600|on||||||” text_text_color=”#192957″ text_font_size=”13px” custom_margin=”10px|10px|10px|10px|true|true” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” animation_duration=”2000ms” animation_intensity_slide=”35%” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Sonja Michaluk<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_image=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(201,226,206,0.5)” background_image=”https:\/\/magazine.mcs.cmu.edu\/bio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/07\/Michaluk_Sonja.png” background_enable_image=”off” background_size=”contain” background_position=”bottom_center” custom_padding=”10px|10px|10px|10px|true|true” border_color_all=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ animation_style=”fold” animation_direction=”right” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
At home under the sea and exploring the stars, Carnegie Mellon University\u2019s Tartan Mermaid has a plaid tail \u2014 and a tale to tell.<\/p>\n
Miss Mermaid New Jersey 2021 Sonja Michaluk, a junior studying statistics and machine learning and biology, dons a mermaid persona to raise awareness and funds for wetland conservation projects near to her heart. To show her CMU pride, Michaluk created a custom plaid fin \u2014 one of 45 she owns \u2014 and the Tartan Mermaid was born.<\/p>\n
Michaluk\u2019s interest in water issues sparked at a young age. She grew up in New Jersey, near the Delaware River, and was raised in her family\u2019s tradition of sailing.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy grandparents lived near the shore on Long Island. Going out and seeing these beautiful aquatic creatures \u2014 seals, dolphins and, my favorite, giant sea turtles \u2014 had a big influence on me,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
In elementary school, Michaluk began to volunteer at The Watershed Institute, which aims to protect and revive the environment in central New Jersey. At age 6, she was collecting biological samples from local streams. By 8, she was teaching workshops on how to monitor the health of waterways. By 16, she had established a Genetics Entomological Monitoring Station.<\/p>\n
In high school, a love of biology, and the fact that her parents were alumni, led her to consider attending Carnegie Mellon.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s beautiful here, the intersection of technology and the arts. I really liked the culture and was excited when I got in,\u201d said Michaluk, who has added a second major in statistics. \u201cI saw how important it was to have data and statistical representations of the health of ecosystems that can be used to inform decision makers, and to make sure we\u2019re protecting our natural resources.\u201d<\/p>\n
At CMU, Michaluk has immersed herself in various projects, including spending three semesters working with Terry Collins<\/a><\/span> at CMU\u2019s Institute for Green Science<\/a><\/span>. There, Michaluk helps design chemical catalysts to remove harmful chemicals from water. Collins, the Teresa Heinz Professor of Green Chemistry, said she approaches the work with tremendous enthusiasm.<\/p>\n \u201cSonja is very keen on being an environmental scientist and is building up her research acumen,\u201d Collins said. \u201cShe\u2019s getting a different skill set to approach something she was passionate about before she got here. She\u2019s been absolutely wonderful!\u201d<\/p>\n The drive to pursue her passions has guided Michaluk her entire life, both as a scientist and as a mermaid.<\/p>\n \u201cMost kids at some point in their lives want to play mermaid. You feel magical,\u201d she said. \u201cI love merging my love for water and mythological lore.\u201d<\/p>\n Michaluk began creating her own mermaid costumes at age 11. She incorporated the mermaid persona into her conservation work, teaching lessons to children with sometimes surprising results.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(201,226,206,0.5)” background_image=”https:\/\/magazine.mcs.cmu.edu\/bio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/07\/Michaluk_Sonja-e1688737495924.png” background_size=”custom” background_image_width=”65%” background_position=”bottom_right” background_blend=”screen” custom_padding=”10px|10px|10px|10px|true|true” border_color_all=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ animation_style=”fold” animation_direction=”right” animation_delay=”500ms” global_colors_info=”{}”]\u201cYou get mixed reactions from children,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019ve been bitten a few times!\u201d<\/p>\n That never deterred the Tartan Mermaid. As her own personal research led to her selection as the 2019 U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize \u2014 and a dinner with the king and queen of Sweden \u2014 Michaluk\u2019s journey as a mermaid continued to evolve as well.<\/p>\n In 2020 Michaluk became interested in participating in the Miss Mermaid USA pageant. The pageant is organized around the goal of saving the oceans.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are lots of people participating just for the fun of it, and then there are people in it who are professional performers who perform underwater shows in aquariums with sea life. There were people into music theater \u2014 one who had been on Broadway! And there were mermaids with separate, regular careers, like a pharmacist and a teacher,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n She also compiled market research as an intern with a company that creates custom mermaid tails. That position led to a role as an online ambassador via Instagram, a platform Michaluk has used to help raise over $15,000 to donate to environmental organizations and help preserve over 250 acres of wetland and wildlife corridors.<\/p>\n Michaluk isn\u2019t only interested in making waves underwater. In summer 2023, she had her eyes on the sky as a member of the Iris lunar rover team.<\/p>\n Iris is an interdisciplinary student-led effort to put a rover on the moon. If successful, it will mark a series of firsts: It\u2019s the first American lunar rover and first student-developed rover, and the smallest rover ever to traverse the moon.<\/p>\n The effort, set to launch with Astrobotic\u2019s Peregrine Lunar Lander, has pulled students from each school and college at CMU. When Michaluk received a recruiting email asking students to join the team, she jumped at the chance. As a member of the Mission Control Operations, she\u2019s participated in simulations in advance of the launch date. Yet this isn\u2019t the mermaid\u2019s first foray into the vast ocean … of space.<\/p>\n 32634 Sonjamichaluk is an asteroid floating in the cosmos. Michaluk was one of multiple finalists in a 2016 Broadcom MASTERS math and science competition for middle school students that were given named asteroids.<\/p>\n Which is probably a good story to tell when entertaining Swedish royalty. Fin.<\/p>\n \u25a0 Michael Henninger<\/em>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#1f4c4c” custom_padding=”30px|0px|30px|0px|false|false” box_shadow_style=”preset6″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0|0px|0|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_button button_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjMyNDIifX0=@” button_text=”Liang Named to National Ultimate Frisbee Team” button_alignment=”left” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”button_url” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”18px” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_border_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” button_icon=”#||divi||400″ button_icon_color=”#ffffff” button_icon_placement=”left” button_on_hover=”off” background_layout=”dark” button_text_size_tablet=”18px” button_text_size_phone=”16px” button_text_size_last_edited=”on|phone” button_border_color_hover=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” button_bg_color_hover=”#719f94″ global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_border_color__hover=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_bg_color__hover=”#719f94″ button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_button button_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjE4NTQifX0=@” button_text=”Steel City Labs” button_alignment=”right” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”button_url” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”18px” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_border_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” button_icon=”$||divi||400″ button_icon_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”off” background_layout=”dark” button_text_size_tablet=”18px” button_text_size_phone=”16px” button_text_size_last_edited=”on|phone” button_border_color_hover=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” button_bg_color_hover=”#719f94″ global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_border_color__hover=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_bg_color__hover=”#719f94″ button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Student StoriesA Tartan Tail: Miss Mermaid MichalukSonja MichalukAt home under the sea and exploring the stars, Carnegie Mellon University\u2019s Tartan Mermaid has a plaid tail \u2014 and a tale to tell. 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\nSpeaking of stories: How does a mermaid story end?<\/p>\n